How do I know if my Chevy has AFM?
If you own a Chevy vehicle, you may be wondering whether it has Active Fuel Management (AFM), a technology that can improve fuel efficiency by temporarily deactivating some of the engine's cylinders. Knowing if your Chevy has AFM can help you understand your vehicle's performance and maintenance needs. In this article, we'll provide a detailed guide on how to determine if your Chevy has AFM.
What is Active Fuel Management (AFM)?
Active Fuel Management, also known as Cylinder Deactivation, is a technology developed by General Motors (GM) to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. It works by temporarily deactivating some of the engine's cylinders when the vehicle is operating under light load conditions, such as cruising on the highway or coasting. This reduces the engine's workload and can result in improved fuel economy, especially during highway driving.
How to Determine if Your Chevy Has AFM
There are several ways to determine if your Chevy has AFM:
- Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): The VIN can provide information about your vehicle's features, including whether it has AFM. Look for the letter "V" in the 8th position of the VIN, which indicates that the vehicle is equipped with AFM.
- Consult the Owner's Manual: Your Chevy's owner's manual should provide information about the vehicle's features, including whether it has AFM.
- Look for the AFM Indicator Light: Some Chevy models with AFM have an indicator light on the dashboard that illuminates when the system is active.
- Listen for the Engine Sound: When the AFM system is active, you may notice a slight change in the engine sound, as the deactivated cylinders are not producing any noise.
- Use a Diagnostic Tool: If you have access to an automotive diagnostic tool, you can scan your vehicle's computer system to check for any AFM-related codes or information.
If you're still unsure whether your Chevy has AFM, you can consult with a Chevy dealer or a qualified automotive technician for assistance.
Conclusion
Knowing whether your Chevy has Active Fuel Management (AFM) can help you understand your vehicle's performance and maintenance needs. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily determine if your Chevy is equipped with this fuel-saving technology.
What year did Chevy add an AFM?
On April 8, 2003, General Motors announced this technology (now called Active Fuel Management) to be commercially available on 2005 GMC Envoy XL, Envoy XUV and Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT using optional Vortec 5300 V8 engine.
What year does 5.3 have an AFM?
General Motors ever popular 5.3L active fuel management was used in majority of trucks and SUV's from 2007-2014. This was one of GM's first designs utilizing cylinder deactivation and active fuel management.
What Chevy vehicles have an AFM?
Some of the popular models that are equipped with AFM include Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban, Sierra, Silverado, and Escalade. Countless vehicles equipped with AFM have experienced problems ranging from low oil messages all the way to complete engine replacement due to issues pertaining to the Active Fuel Management system.
How do I tell if my engine has an AFM?
You can tell by looking at the plate in the valley of the motor under the throttle body. If it's smooth, you don't have afm. If it has oil passages like a valve body then you do have afm.
